The aim was to identify whether 16 weeks of combined training (Training) reduces blood pressure of hypertensive older adults and what the key fitness, hemodynamic, autonomic, inflammatory, oxidative, glucose and/or lipid mediators of this intervention would be. Fifty-two individuals were randomized to either 16 weeks of Training or control group who remained physically inactive (Control). Training included walking/running at 63% of $\dot{V}$O₂max, three times per week, and strength training, consisting of one set of fifteen repetitions (seven exercises) at moderate intensity, twice per week. Both groups underwent a comprehensive health assessment at baseline (W0) and every four weeks, for 16 weeks total. p-value ≤ 0.05 was set as significant. Training did not reduce blood pressure. It increased $\dot{V}$O₂max after eight weeks and again after 16 weeks (~18%), differently from the Control group. At 16 weeks, Training increased strength (~8%), slightly reduced body mass (~1%), and reduced the number of individuals with metabolic syndrome (~7%). No other changes were observed (heart rate, carotid compliance, body composition, glycemic and lipid profile, inflammatory markers and oxidative profile, vasoactive substances, heart rate variability indices). Although Training increased cardiorespiratory fitness and strength, Training was able to reduce neither blood pressure nor a wide range of mediators in hypertensive older adults, suggesting other exercise interventions might be necessary to improve overall health in this population. The novelty of this study was the time-course characterization of Training effects, surprisingly demonstrating stability among a comprehensive number of health outcomes in hypertensive older adults, including blood pressure.

To compare the inflammatory and oxidative stress (OS) states of adults with bronchiectasis with those of healthy controls and correlate inflammatory and OS levels with lung function and physical capacity. This study used a cross-sectional design. Seventy-four adults with bronchiectasis (age: 49±15 years, forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]: 52.5±25.6%) and 42 healthy controls (age: 44±17 years, FEV1: 95.9±14.0%) performed cardiopulmonary exercise tests and incremental shuttle walking tests. Their physical activity in daily life, inflammatory cytokine, and antioxidant levels in plasma were measured. Compared to that of the controls, the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 (p<0.001), IL-10 (p<0.001), carbonylated proteins (p=0.001), and superoxide anions (p=0.046) were significantly increased in adults with bronchiectasis. Catalase activity was also reduced in this group (p<0.001). The inflammatory markers IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α correlated negatively with aerobic capacity (r=-0.408, r=-0.308, and r=-0.207, respectively). We observed similar correlations with OS markers (thiobarbituric acid and carbonyls; r=-0.290 and r=0.379, respectively), and these markers also significantly correlated with the aerobic capacity. Adults with bronchiectasis presented an increased systemic inflammatory response that correlated negatively with physical capacity.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among diabetic patients, with their incidence rising globally. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, untreated with insulin, exhibit human-like symptoms such as hyperglycemia, polydipsia, polyuria, weight loss, cardiomyopathy, neuropathy, and oxidative stress. Thus, this study evaluated the effects of Ilex guayusa tea on cardiovascular, autonomic, metabolic, and oxidative stress parameters in diabetic rats, as well as its antioxidant and phytochemical properties. Methods: Thirteen female Wistar rats were divided into two groups: diabetic (D; n = 7) and diabetic + Ilex guayusa (DG; n = 6). Diabetes was induced by a single STZ injection (50 mg/kg, i.v.), and guayusa tea was provided ad libitum for 21 days (3.0 g/L). Results: Glycemia and body mass were initially similar between the groups; however, throughout the protocol, the D group showed an increase in glycaemia and a decrease in body mass when compared to initial values. While no differences in arterial pressure, heart rate, linear heart rate variability, and oxidative stress were observed, the D group showed reduced vascular sympathetic modulation (LF-SAP and VAR-SAP) compared to the DG group. This reduced vascular sympathetic modulation, which was a poor prognostic marker in this model, was inversely correlated with glycemia (VAR-SAP and final glycemia, r: −0.81, p = 0.002). Conclusions: These findings suggest that Ilex guayusa tea consumption may mitigate metabolic and autonomic dysfunction in diabetes, highlighting its potential therapeutic role in managing diabetic complications.